Gamecocks reveal few surprises on opening depth chart

COLUMBIA – Steve Spurrier has not taken a peek at his 85-foot likeness outside Williams-Brice Stadium.

He just has one wish.

“Coach (USC athletics director Ray) Tanner said they wanted to put a picture of a player or a coach or something,” said Spurrier. “He said we’re going to put a picture of you up there.

“As long as it’s your decision and not mine. It wasn’t my idea. Hopefully we can keep winning here at Williams-Brice. I don’t want people coming by and throwing eggs at it. If we go bad, that could happen, as we all know.”

Spurrier hopes that doesn’t happen when the Gamecocks open the 2014 season Thursday at 6:05 p.m. against fellow Southeastern Conference member Texas A&M at Williams-Brice Stadium.

Coming off three consecutive 11-2 seasons that concluded with the team ranked in the top 10 nationally, big things are predicted for USC by many this season.

Spurrier understands that his ninth-ranked Gamecocks will not have an easy time against the 20th-ranked Aggies, however.

“They’re probably a little bit like us in that they haven’t had a bunch of superstars to talk about all preseason,” Spurrier said of A&M. “Their players are anxious to earn their way just like our team. Our guys are anxious to show the country we can play ball and we have a lot of good players also.”

There weren’t a lot of surprises on South Carolina’s game-week depth chart. Dylan Thompson is the starting quarterback with Connor Mitch and Perry Orth as the co-number twos.

Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds are one/two at running back, while Shaq Roland, Pharoh Cooper and Nick Jones are the starters in the Gamecocks’ three wide receiver set.

Either Clayton Stadnik and Will Sport will start at center, with Cody Waldrop taking over at right guard in the absence of the injured Mike Matulis.

On defense, Gerald Dixon and Darius English are the starting ends with Mason Harris and David Johnson the top backups.

T.J. Holloman gets the nod over Kaiwan Lewis at the MIKE linebacker, while Skai Moore opens at the WILL linebacker.

Brison Williams and Al Harris Jr. are the starting corners with Chris Moody and Chaz Elder handing the safety slots.

Texas A&M will start sophomore Kenny Hill at quarterback. He has had limited experience on the field, although Spurrier points out that the last two Heisman Trophy winners, including the Aggies’ Johnny Manziel in 2012, were first-time starters.

Spurrier acknowledges that preseason predictions don’t mean much until the season gets underway.

“I don’t think it makes a huge difference to tell you the truth,” he said. “It’s just talking season. Talking season is about over now. We are preparing the best we can, one game at a time. I’m sure that is what Texas A&M is doing also.

“They are trying to get ready to beat us and then beat the next team they play. That’s what we’re trying to do right here. I think it’s nice to be picked a little bit. People think we have a chance to be pretty good. Maybe that tells our players: ‘Hey, we’ve got a chance to be pretty good.’ But we also know we can get beat just like almost anybody can get beat these days.”